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Tag Archives: traditions

This Is THE Dutch Tradition If You Like Cold! Posted by on Jan 6, 2020

Gelukkig nieuwjaar, everybody! The jaarwisseling (turn of the year) marks an opportunity for many people to finally go get some of those goede voornemens (good resolutions) done! But for many Dutch people, it also means taking a moedige (courageous) step into cold water… Literally. Here’s all about a crazy cold Dutch tradition: the nieuwjaarsduik (New Year’s dip). What is this nieuwjaarsduik? Every year…

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Dutch Eindexamens – Time to Hang Up The Schoolbag Posted by on Jun 12, 2019

Today is an important day for over 200.000 Dutch school kids. This afternoon, they will hear whether they have geslaagd (graduated) or not – a big deal! It is accompanied by an interesting tradition… Hang de tas maar uit! It is traditional in the Netherlands to hang up your schooltas (school bag) if you graduated. There has…

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Doe de Groetjes! Posted by on Jul 2, 2018

Picture the following: You are op bezoek bij (visiting) your friend, and you start talking about these old mutual friends you have. It’s been years! And you will see them in just a few days! So your friend tells you: doe ze de groetjes van mij! (Say hi to them for me!). Sounds familiar? Not surprising. The Dutch like…

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4 Reasons To Escape Carnival Posted by on Feb 12, 2018

Every February, one of the largest events below the rivieren (rivers) is happening: Carnaval (Carnival). For a few days, the entire Dutch south, especially Noord-Brabant and Limburg, are a complete mess! On this blog, we have written before some of the nice things about Carnaval. But not everybody likes it! While there are many people coming into the…

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4 New Year’s Traditions from the Netherlands Posted by on Jan 3, 2018

The 2017-2018 New Year’s celebration was my first in the Netherlands, and at home, we made it a point to be as traditional as possible. It was a very nice experience and the following are 4 traditions I learned: 1. “Alvast een fijne jaarwisseling” and “Gelukkig nieuwjaar” These are the two phrases you need to…

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Chocoladeletters – Letters of Chocolate for Sinterklaas! Posted by on Dec 5, 2017

‘T heerlijk avondje is gekomen (The wonderful evening has come)! It is December 5, the day on which Sinterklaas and his helpers, the Pieten distribute the presents they wrapped for all the Dutch. But there is more than just gifts: A lot of snoepgoed (sweets)! Today, we will look at a particular one: Chocoladeletters (Chocolate letters). Bread Letters Nowadays, these yummy…

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6 Things to Know About Babies in the Netherlands Posted by on Aug 9, 2017

Whether you are planning to have a baby in the Netherlands or just have friends and family here who will, having babies in the Netherlands comes with its own customs and traditions. Below is a list of the most useful things to know about having babies in the Netherlands: Thuisbevalling Thuisbevalling or a home birth…

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